About Us

Founded by Dr. Tom Griffiths of Penn State University,
Aquatic Safety
Research Group provides innovative water safety and risk management
programs and services to a wide range of clients througout the United
States and internationally.

Dr. Tom Griffiths not only brings decades of pool and beach experience
to each training program, but his experiences as an expert witness bring
reality to his unique approach to aquatic risk management.

Griffiths, who started his career in aquatics picking up ice cream
wrappers at a natural waterpark in New Jersey, is the author of several
books, including The Complete Swimming Pool Reference and Better
Beaches. Recognized around the world for developing the Five Minute
Scanning Strategy, now used by lifeguard agencies to reduce fatigue and
improve attentiveness, Griffiths also designed Griff’s Guard Stations,
available through Paragon Aquatics, and a surprising DVD, entitled
Disappearing Dummies, which helps demonstrate to lifeguards the
phenomena that occur once a person submerges beneath the surface of the
water.

Griffiths' textbook, The Complete Swimming Pool Reference, 2nd ed., is
widely used to train swimming pool and spa operators in the safe and
efficient management of their facilities. This text serves as the
foundation for Aquatic Safety Research Group's two certification
programs for swimming pool operators. Practical Pool Management Plus
(PPM+) is a two-day workshop, which provides pool operators the
opportunity to become certified in order to meet state training
requirements. Certification, provided by Aquatic Safety Research Group,
LLC, has been deemed equivalent to the National Swimming Pool
Foundation's Certified Pool Operator course as well as the National
Recreation and Park Association's Aquatic Facility Operator course. The
one-day Practical Pool Management (PPM) course also provides the
opportunity for pool operators to become certified and is an excellent
training program for states, which do not clearly define the level of
training needed by a pool operator.

Dr. Griffiths is well known for his practical approach to managing risk
at aquatic facilities. After years of experience in aquatic facility
management and renowned as an expert in the field, Dr. Griffiths along
with fellow water safety expert and attorney Shawn DeRosa (of
DeRosa
Aquatic Consulting) have developed a one-day workshop specifically
focusing on aquatic risk management. The A.R.M. Series of workshops
targets three distinct markets (Public Pools and Waterparks, Hotel/Motel
Pools, and Beaches) with industry-specific information on managing risks
in each of these environments. No other program that we know provides
this depth of coverage or this level of training.

In addition to maintaining our recently renovated website, Rachel
maintains impressive researching, writing and speaking skills.She is also a member of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance.Rachel is the newsletter editor for the
Penn State Alumni
Association, Los Angeles Chapter.

While on the Aquatic Safety Team, Rachel plans on focusing on the
promotion of the National Note and Float Campaign, released by the
Aquatic
Safety Research Group in 2009 and hopes to oversee the installation of
Clarion’s Water Safety Signage Programs at aquatic facilities on the West
Coast.Rachel’s work experience
includes Entertainment Tonight, National Geographic Channel, Walt Disney
World and Universal Studios, as well as Summer Discovery on the UCLA campus.Rachel has extensive international travel experience and her hobbies
include reading, writing, jogging and swimming.She hopes to master surfing soon.She can be reached directly at:
RachelGriffiths@AquaticSafetyGroup.com

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Dr. Tom Griffiths

Tom Griffiths, EdD, is one of the leading
experts in the field of aquatic safety. He is founder of the Aquatic
Safety Research Group, and served as the Director of Aquatics and Safety
Officer for Athletics at Penn State University for nearly 25 years.

He has been involved in all phases of aquatics and water safety for
30 years and has published more than 300 articles.

Rachel Griffiths

Rachel Griffiths, (BA University of Maryland, MA San
Diego State University), joins the Aquatic Safety Research Group, LLC as a
Communication Director and West Coast Representative spreading the water safety
word of one of the world’s most influential water safety advocacy groups.

Tom Saldarelli

Tom Saldarelli, aquatic industry consultant, has professionally led companies in efficient and effective product and staff development for decades. His diversified expertise includes engineering, policies and administration, finance, new business and systems development, and customer relations. Saldarelli assists streamlining businesses to become leaders in the aquatics industry. Read more.